Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-08-10

by my heels, but / failed. / shut my
eyes and prayed to heaven. Every
act OF my past life rushed through my
brain; at the same time / was per-
fectly conscious of everything about
me. / thought what q time | should
be falling. What q long, long time l
should be dying, ere l reached the
earth. found strength to speak.
" 'Ranford,' l said, you are mis-
taken
I" I'm not he answered.
"'If you let go my hand you are g.
murderer
"'I don't CARE
"'It is known that there was i'll
blood between u.s. i continued. You
may be hanged. Your wife will say
how Jealous
"sA wife cannot give evidence against
her husband
81 knew that the next moment I
should be falling through the air. A
spasm shot to my heart. I fancied |
saw the bottom of the car rising from
me. | felt the grasp of his fingers
loosen! With the energy Of despera.
ton leaped and caught his wrist
WAoh my OiSCbSoSOu AduO. C1lIuUCu
up his body, know not how, till ]
reached the perch and thence into the
car. where | lay painting for breath.
He soon followed me.
"'I frightened you, didn't I?' be
said. You don't supposed meant it,
do your
'I made no answer, but prepared
for the descent.
"Next morning called on the pro
prietor of the gardens, threw up my
engagement, and took another al
Glasgow.
1.-TWO years passed away, during
which [ heard but little OF nv
late partner. While I was performing
at Manchester | heard of Coobie. ar
old friend of mine, being at a circus in
q neighboring town. took train and
went over to see him. We dined, and
at z O'Clock went together to the cir.
Gus. Lounging near the entrance
saw Ranford. He was considerably
altered-thinner and, if possible, more
evil-eyed than ever.
go know that man. I said to Coo
bic. 4 know you DO my friend re-
piled. He calls himself "The Excelsi-
or, or Champion Somersault Thrower
of the World" He is in the bills for a
treble somersault tonight. In TACT
his engagement depends upon it. Ell?
he sees you
81 turned around and saw Ranford
walking quickly from us. ! entered
the circus and was accommodated
with seat in the orchestra. | had a
q
something was about to happen; but
the feeling wore of when Ranford came
into the ring.
"While the grooms were altering the
position OF the spring. board, he walked
up to the orchestra, and with the old
smile upon his face, said to me:
"'You can't keep away then, can
your
"'Ranford,' whispered, you're not
yourself tonight; take my advice
don't throw the TREBLE
"He burst into loud laugh.
"'You want me to fail, do you he?
said; fail when you're here Hi
houp-la'
"He ran on the spring-board, bowed
and kissed his hands. The music be-.
gan. He threw several single somer-
saults, then g. double one; then he
stopped and crossed his arms and
looked at me. The audience were very
enthusiastic, and he began again, re-
peated the performance and stopped
again. There was more applause.
Then he turned to me smiling, as he
said, Now and went to work third
time. He made some little prepara-
tion-turned over once or twice. The
house was SO silent that you might
have heard q pin drop. He got the
spring and over he Went-once, twice.
My heart rose in my mouth, for saw
that he had not room to turn third
time. His head came down with
horrible thud among the tan and saw
dust, and he lay in the ring doubled
up and dead!
ga surgeon came out of the boxes,
who said that his neck was broken,
and that death must have been instan-
taneous.
81 tainted away. When | came to
saw him being carried out OF the
ring